Texas A&M’s No. 9-ranked Nicole Khirin secured her place at the NCAA Championships with a commanding performance in the ITA Sectional quarterfinals on Saturday. Competing at Michigan’s Varsity Tennis Center, Khirin notched her fourth consecutive victory by defeating Houston’s No. 109-ranked Santa Strombacha in straight sets, 6-1, 7-6(6). This impressive win guarantees her a spot in the tournament semifinals and further solidifies her standing as one of the top collegiate players this season.
Khirin wasted no time in establishing her dominance, taking the first set 6-1 with a near-flawless display of aggressive baseline play and precision serving. Strombacha attempted to mount a comeback in the second set, pushing the match to a tiebreaker, but Khirin’s composure under pressure allowed her to clinch a hard-fought 7-6(6) victory. This latest triumph continues her exceptional form and ensures her participation in the NCAA Individual Championships.
The NCAA Championships are set to take place from November 19-24 at the Hurd Tennis Center in Waco, Texas. With this win, Khirin becomes the second Aggie player to secure a berth in the prestigious tournament, joining No. 1-ranked Mary Stoiana.
Smetannikov Falls Short in Quarterfinals
While Khirin celebrated her victory, her Texas A&M teammate Daria Smetannikov faced a challenging matchup against Oklahoma’s No. 16-ranked Julia Garcia-Ruiz. Despite a determined effort, Smetannikov was unable to overcome her opponent, falling 6-1, 6-3 in straight sets. The loss prevents Smetannikov from advancing further in the main draw, but she still has an opportunity to compete in the playoff 5-8 semifinals, where she will aim for a strong finish.
Nicole Khirin (image via Getty)What’s Next for Khirin and Smetannikov
Looking ahead to Sunday’s semifinal matchups, Khirin is set to face Michigan’s No. 45-ranked Lily Jones. A victory in this round would push her into the ITA Sectional final, further solidifying her position as one of the tournament’s top contenders. On the other hand, Smetannikov will battle Ohio State’s No. 50-ranked Sydni Ratliff in the playoff 5-8 semifinals, hoping to finish the competition on a high note.
Saturday’s Quarterfinal Results
Singles
- No. 9 Nicole Khirin (TAMU) def. No. 109 Santa Strombacha (UH) – 6-1, 7-6(6)
- No. 16 Julia Garcia-Ruiz (OU) def. Daria Smetannikov (TAMU) – 6-1, 6-3
Stay Updated on the Tournament
Fans can follow all the action through live stats or stream the matches online. Etruesports will continue to provide the latest updates and in-depth coverage of the NCAA Championships as Nicole Khirin and Daria Smetannikov push for success. Stay tuned for more insights, match recaps, and exclusive coverage of the nation’s top collegiate tennis players.
For more sports updates, visit Etruesports and follow along as the NCAA Championships unfold.
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